A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Educational Programs That Work - 1995

Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF)

Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF). This program is designed to prevent school failure by identifying the developmental levels and learning styles of children ages four to six years. A follow-up program is also provided (see On The Way to SUCCESS).

Description Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) has demonstrated that the assessment tools, conferencing, and effective teaching strategies prevent children from failing academically. The EPSF program identifies every child's developmental level in language, auditory, visual, and motor areas as well as their learning style. The norm-referenced assessment instruments and observational procedures have been selected and/or developed to assess: (1) the developmental levels of children's language, auditory, visual, and motor synthesis; and (2) each child's experiential background. The computer printout reflects: (1) the developmental age of each child compared to a norm group of the same age; (2) what a child can do (criterion-referenced); and (3) observations by teachers and parents. Portfolios are maintained on at-risk students. The strategies include a literature-based reading and writing program, themes and units, higher process thinking activities, and researched steps for teacher-directed instruction of children with similar needs. The program is based on child growth and development and the principles of learning which focus on different rates of learning and different learning styles. EPSF was developed on a sound foundation of learning research and child growth and development. The research on over 100,000 children in ongoing yearly EPSF evaluations has demonstrated a seven-year developmental age span in a class of 25 entering-kindergarten children. A third longitudinal study, conducted in 1985 through 1988 in 11 districts in nine states, demonstrated statistically significant and educationally meaningful gains. A fourth longitudinal study began in 1992 in 16 diverse school districts.

Contact
Luceille Werner, National Director, Peotone School District 207U, 114 North Second Street, P.O. Box 956, Peotone, IL 60468. (708) 258-3478 or (800) 933-3478, FAX (708) 258-3484.

Developmental Funding: USDE ESEA Title I (Migrant); USDE (SUCCESS).
JDRP No. 74-46 (5/15/74)
Recertified (4/19/77)


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